Devonport High School

Old Boys 3

Tavistock 38

THIS was a quintessential Tavistock performance - strong defence allied with eager attack in the first half, and a second half that showed lapses of concentration at the start but which ended in a flourish.

The Old Boys were first to score when Tavistock were forced to concede a penalty.

Tavistock stormed back and set the tone via the scrummage, where they continually put pressure on. They took numerous balls against the head with the front row of Tom Hurdwell, Rob Sleep, Rob Monk and second half replacement Steve Langdon proving too strong for their opponents.

After Tavistock had mounted an attack the Old Boys were forced to concede a five-metre scrum and number eight Jude Rotton scored after they hd pushed the Old Boys? scrum back over the line. The dose was repeated soon after and Rotton got a second well deserved try.

Tavistock switched their attacking to the threequarters and this resulted in some sparkling play where Duncan Law and Mike Lyddon were strong and direct in the centre, allowing Josh Sutton and Ben Neale room on the wings to exploit the Old Boys? defence.

After a ruck just inside the Old Boys? 22, scrum half and skipper Lee Greatrex skipped around the side of a ruck and raced in to score close to the posts.

The final try of the first half was scored by open side flanker Paul Greenhill who capitalised on some slow reactions in the Old Boys defence and powered his way over the line from a tapped penalty. Neil Evans converted all the first half tries.

At the beginning of the second half Tavistock had to absorb some intense Old Boys pressure and half-time replacement and new recruit Fenelon Sylvest acquitted himself well on the wing. During this period Tavistock did not help themselves by conceding territory after some undisciplined backchat to the referee.

Tavistock reasserted dominance via the forwards and released Evans on an arching run on the left. He exchanged passes with Law and scored in the corner.

The final score again came from hard won ball by the pack that allowed the backs swiftly to move it wide where full back Mark Baker came into the line and grabbed the try.

This week Tavistock continue their league campaign at home to Honiton, kick off 2.30pm. All supporters are welcome.